Of course we are making reference to the recent aerial clash between Pakistan and India. A skirmish or even a battle as it supposedly involved more than 100 planes with five of the Indian aircraft being downed (Islamabad’s claim) or none of them being down (Delhi’s claim).
Pakistan and India have not been on friendly terms for decades now. Be it the disputed region of Kashmir or the support that Islamabad lends to insurgents who cause trouble in India, there are intermittent clashes and skirmishes now and again. Some are minor, some are major. An attack launched by insurgents or terrorists (the name depends on the point of view) from Pakistan’s territory into Indian territory on 22 April this year left some 26 casualties. Delhi felt compelled to retaliate, at least symbolically, at least not to lose face before its own population, not to mention the rest of the world. So, on May 6/7 lots of aircraft were sent to hit 9 targets in Pakistan (5 of them in Kashmir). Islamabad did not intend to let itself be ridden roughshod and scrambled its air forces to punish the intruder. From the ensuing skirmish or battle the Pakistani air forces are said to have emerged victorious, which of course is denied by Delhi.
Up to now the event is one of the many that have occurred between Pakistan and India, and – of course – more are to be expected in the foreseeable future. What was special about the outburst of conflict this time was the fact – or speculations – or suppositions which made the headlines that Pakistani aircraft made in China successfully clashed with the Indian aircraft made in France. The aerial duels were fought between China-made J-10 (Chengdu) and the French-made Rafale, Mirage (and also Russian-made SU-30 and MiG 29). One Rafale and one Mirage are said to have been downed, which is now confirmed, now dismissed by the world media. Obviously, truth is not to be had in the nearest future, but still the event rings some interesting alarm bells.
One, Chinese aircraft made a successful debut in a military conflict. Even if their success is disputed or downplayed, their presence attracted the attention of military experts.
Two, the French aircraft manufacturer may have received a dent to its prestige. Again, even if the news are doubtful and challenged, current and prospective customers might have second thoughts.
Third, the news about downing at least one Rafale and one Mirage might be dismissed, but the fate of the German Leopards and American Abrams in Ukraine – the two tanks that were reputed to be crème de la crème – might support suspicions that Rafale aircraft are not as good as they are advertised, either.
Four, China shows its strength not only in economy but also in its military capacity. The reader will have remembered about the Chinese cosmonauts (or astronauts) orbiting the earth and working on the Chinese space station, a fact not properly emphasized by the media. The Western consumer of information, upon being asked about space exploration, will most likely associate it with Americans and Russians, barely the Chinese. And yet…
Five, technological prowess of the Chinese aircraft only proves that China’s industry and engineering is as advanced as their Western counterparts if not better. Washington’s trade war against China is a sign of America acting in panic mode: the Hill has belatedly realized that the Asian dragon is on America’s heels, poised to move in for the kill.
Six, the world is split between the West and the Rest (BRICS and the “non-aligned” to use the political term from the latter part of the previous century). This Rest might stop purchasing military equipment from the West and begin to opt for the Chinese offer in this respect. Why, if the J-10 aircraft matches the capabilities of the French Rafale or Mirage, and is at least twice as cheap ($40-60 million against $100-120 million), then why overpay? To make the choice of the provider easier, countries around the world must also take into consideration that buying American or generally Western military equipment comes with a tag of the piece of equipment being or not being allowed to be used for particular purposes. So, Pakistan could have used American F-16s against India in the conflict referred to above… only that it could not, because the sale contract stipulated that these aircraft were not to be used by Islamabad against India without American prior permission. Beijing does not attach such restrictions to its military products.
The whole event may be denounced as Pakistani or even Chinese propaganda, which it might be. Yet, it is the small changes that accumulate over time and bring about a breakthrough, a colossal change. Fifty years back no one thought China would challenge the United States: today the United States feels seriously threatened. Chinese automobiles, Chinese cell phones, Chinese this, Chinese that are all flooding the world market. High time for the Chinese military equipment to do the same. The outsourcing once initiated and practiced for decades in with United States along with the de-industrialization propagated in the European Union hugely contribute to the change of the global balance of power. While the West is obsessively preoccupied with ethnic replacement, (anti-)racism, culture cancel, and rainbow sexuality, the Middle Kingdom is going about its business of becoming the world’s superpower. Also militarily.
